Measuring instrument.



E. SPELLMAN. MEASURING INSTRUMENT. APrjucATloN FILED ocT.12, 1918.

Patented Mar. 4,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l,

j IN VEN TOR.

E. SPELLMAN.

'MEAsuR-ING INSTRUMENT. lAPPLHLATION VFILED OCT. l2. 1918.

Patented Mm'. 4,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- NVENTOR. QWMW EDWARD SPELLIVIAIN', OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

MEASUBING INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 4, 1919.

Application filed ctober 12, 1918. Serial No. 257,835.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD SPELLMAN,`

a citizen of the United States, residing in Vthecity of Louisville, county of Jefferson,

and State of Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Measuring Instrument,

of which the following is a specification'.

This invention relates to means for indicating visually, by means of electricity,

With the foregoing 'and other objects in` view, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this speciication, wherein is set forth an embodiment of the invention, but it'is to be understood that such changes and modications may be resorted to as come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate like partsin the several views, Figure l, is a front elevation of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2, a side elevation, with parts in section; Fig. 3, a top plan view of the measuring members; Fig. 4, an end elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the measuring members; Fig. 5, a sectional view, on line 5-5 of Fig. 4:; Fig. 6, a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the device; Fig. 7, a sectional view on yline 7.-7 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a'front elevation of the index head.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated herewith is designed to be mounted on the tool carriage of a lathe, or on an extension thereof. And is provided with such adjustments that the center line of its measuring points may be positioned in the same horizontal plane as the lathe center, and be moved to and from. same. The device comprises a base -10- having an elongated slot -11- through which securing means such as a bolt may be passed, the slot provides to and fro as well as swung around with the bolt as a center. A hollow column -13-, erected on the base, is provided at its upper end with vertical slits 14.- which permit of its being contracted by means of a nut -15-, to clamp and securely hold, a post 1G- which is slidably positioned in the column. The nut is provided with holes for the application of a Spanner wrench. On the upper end of the post, disposed at right angles thereto, is a split sleeve -18-, a thumb screw -19-, being provided whereby the sleeve may be contracted on a spindle -20--which is rotatably mounted therein. A collar -21- on the 'end of the spindle 20 prevents its withdrawal from the sleeve. Disposed on the other end of thespindle, at right angles thereto is a split sleeve -22- which may be contracted by means of a th'umb screw -23-. The sleeve -22- is provided with a major bore -24.- and a minor bore -25-. A screw threaded bar, or ram -26- which is slidably mounted in the minor bore is provided with a key-way -27- which extends from its rear end to within a spaced distance of the forward end. A key -28-, fitted in the key-way at the rear end of the minor bore, and held in place `of the bore, providing means whereby it may be rotated. A sleeve w33-, which is in screw threaded engagement with theinner wall of the major bore, provides a journal for the sleeve 30 and also means whereby wear on the screw threads of the ram 26, may be taken up. A set screw 34- provides means for securing the sleeve 33 against movement. A scale -35- is inscribed on the licor of the key-way, and a feather -36- which lies in the key-way has a pointer 37- on its forward end, which coperates with an index -38- on the face of the head, 32, of the sleeve 30. The arrangement being such that turning the head will advance, or retract the ram, 26. One complete turn of the head moving the ram a definite distance, of say of an inch, fractional distances of less than that amount being obtained by observing the index on the head. When adjusted, the sleeve 30 may be locked in position by means of a screw 39 The forward end of the ram is provided with a` socket 41 for the reception of the shank of a micrometer gage 42 said gage comprising a shank 43 and a head 44- which is provided with a point '45 i It is thought that the `construction of micrometers is wellenough known not to need extended description here, sumce to say that. the head isconnected with the shank by means of a ne screwthread, and that an annular index on the head, coperates with a scale arranged -longitudinally on the shank, the two being decimally sub-divided. A clamp 48 carried onthe head 44 comprises two opposed members 49 which are connected at their lower ends by means of a screw 7 (see Fig.4 4). vThese members have central semi-circular portions 51 which fit-about the head, being received in an annular groove 52 The arrangement being such that the head may be turnedl without influencing the clamp, or vice versa. The members 49, are also provided with terminal seini-circular portions 53 which form a bearing for and are adapted to clamp and securely hold an angular arm 54 A screw 9 serves to clamp the members 49 about `the arm 54, this screw maybe loosened sufficiently to permit movement of the arm without affecting the relationship of the clamp tothe `micrometer head. The arm 54 comprises three sections 55, 56, 57 disposed at right angles to each other, the first named section extending longitudinally of and in a horizontall plane parallel with the shank, and being adapted to slide i which extends half way around the circumference of the ram, serves to prevent longibetween the parts 53, the secondv section extends at right angles from therst section, in tliesame plane therewith, the third-section extends at right angles fromtlie second in a vertical plane, the free end of the third section is secured by screws 10 to a rectangular bar 60 This bar extends parallel'with the shank of the micrometer in the same horizontal plane therewith and is slidably mounted in a part 61 which projects from a splitcollar 62 and Vmay i be secured against i movement therein by means of a thumb screw 63 This collar 62, is positioned on the forward end of the ram, 26, and may be clamped thereon by means of a thumb screw 64 (seelig.4 6). A set screw 65 which extends `through the collar 62,-into an annular groove 66 tudinal movement of the collar thereon,` and also to limit its circumferential travel thereabout, toa half revolution. The arrangement being such that by loosening the yscrews 9 and 63, the bar may be adjusted longitudinally relative to the micrometer, the first section of the arm 54 sliding in the clamp 48,

.side of the bar 60, longitudinally thereof, ,at

the forward end'tliereof, suitable insulating f material 71 such as hard rubber or fiber being placed between the spriiig-and the bar. At a point neary the `forward end ofthe bar, the spring is bent. outwardat right angles theretoand `extends therefrom a spaced distance, it is then `doubled back terminating in the center line ofthe bar, if extended. Secured on the end of the spring, is a contact disk 72 which lies in front of and a spaced distance from the button 66. A similarlyshaped spring 73 is disposed on -the upper side ofthe bar, a terminal contact disk 74 thereon lying a. spaced distance in front ofthe disk'72 with which it is ,adapted to ,f make electrical contact. At-

tached to the front of the'disk 74 is a disk 75 of hard rubber or otliersuitable insulating material. A pair of springs 76, 77 are disposed respectively over the springs 70 and 73, beingsuitably insulated therefrom. The assemblage of springs is Vsecured to the bar by suitable means such as screws 8 lThe springs 76, 77 Vare substantially parallel `therewith lthrough nearly theirentire length. -A Contact Vdisk 79- on the end ofthe spring 76, lies a spaced distancein front of the disk 7 5, and-a contact Idisk 80 on the end ofthe spring 77 lies just infront of the disk 79. The disk 80 is faced with alayer 8l of insulation which bears against the work, whenthe-tool is in service, and insulates the spring from VV.the work. -Eachof the springs is provided,

on-its rear end, withmeans-such as a loop 82 to which electrical conductors are attached,- certain of which as 83 llead direct to a source of electrical current, while others as S4- lead `through lamps 86, 87 The arrangement being .such ythat when `the disks 79 and 8O are in Contact the lamp -86 will be lighted, and when the disks 72 and 74 are in contact, the lamp 87 will be lighted. T he device is installedforuse on a lathe bybeing attached to the tool carriage by meansof thebolt 12, the nut 15 istlien loosened, the post16`adjusted,-up or down, until the center lineof the rain, 26, if extended :would intersect. the lathe centerV in a horizontalplane and vthen `thenut tightened.. The ram 26 is then extended, by manipulating the nut 30, toits fullest extent i and the device adjusted by swinging about tliebolt .12, or by turning the post liinthey column 13, or'botlnuntili tlieranr 26 is at.

' rightl angles to'. the'lathecenter andtheftips and inches plus le," on-:thefin ex- 38;. from.

the lathe'cent'er) theiscale as illustratedv indicatesA the'radiusl ofthe `Work tol be" turned, it is obvious' that the scaleF maybe" arrangedi to give the diameter direct'. When the Y measuring. head' is` notiin use'-:it may, by

Vloosening thef thumb screw 19,tliusfreleas ingfthe spindle 20g ;be"turnedthroughl a vertical plane, ,baclt out of theway; lVlien.; thepoint 81 ispressing: against the 'worin the:l

springs area-ll flexed, the disks 72,\.7'4,.and

7 9 and 80, being in contact andbc`thlights,V

86 and 87 burning. A 1sthe workisireduced, the tension@ of the, springsrelaxes by reason of the point following thezworlz, when the" desired size, for which! the'tool has `been set, is reached the disk 72- separates' from: the' disk-"(4A and thelight 87 will` go out thusindieating the fact. of the work? will result-:in thefseparation of the'd-isks 79, SOFand-,theflight Sfwill-goout thus indicating; that thefworl isfundersize These' lights may be 1 located inlf any 'positiondesired, or lightsmay be placed atmorethan one point. The distancethrough-which the springsmove backward mayl be controlled by means of the rod"l 65, which extendsvr through thebar 60,#a`dvancing thebar limits the flexure andir vicef versa.K

One method of` using:` the `device is, in starting a pieceof wor-lnj tof size same by means of a. master gage, the contact points are then advanced to` contactwith the sized portion, then with the screw 68 tightened,- the screw 9 is loosened', and-themicrometer head is retracted,so that the'spring contacts only are in service:`

As illustratech the micrometer head1 travels along the work, ahead of the spring contacts, on occasions it may be desired that the springs travel ahead, in which case by loosening the screw 645 thefbarGO wi'thiitsattachments may be turned through an arc of`l8`0 degrees, the clamp 48, turning on the head of the micrometer and the collar 62, turning on the head of the ram 26.

The measuring heads may be swung upward on the spindle 20, only being brought down occasionally for trial measurements.

While I have shown and described in considerable detail one specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that such showing is illustrated only and that I do not regard my invention as limited to details shown or described nor to any of them except in so far as such limitations have been included in the terms of the following claims in which it is my intention to Further reduction in size:

claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as ispossible in view of the prior art.`

What Ii claim is :1

l.Y In a devicenseharacterized, a support,

a mcasuringfelement carried thereby, electric' contacts -l carried by saidelement, an= electric circuit, said! contacts,` adaptedfto be closed'` by contactl with an articleto be measured;

2. In. a' deviceV as characterized, a support,

a` measuringl` element carried thereby, any

electric circuit,\.circuit closing means carried by saidrelement, said means adaptedr tobe actuated to close the circuit by contact with' 'an object tobemeasured, and indicating. de-

vices insaid circuit.

3; Iina. device"v as.cha=nacterized',aa support, a" measuring element carried thereby and extensible therefrom, a plurality of electric circuits,- circuit closing means infeach of said circuits carried by saidi element, said: means adapted `to be closed scrz'a'tz'm by contact with the object to'bemeasnred, and anindieating device in'- eachl circuit.

In a device as' characterized, a: support, a measuring` element carried thereby, velectric contacts arranged' in tandenn on said element, an electric circuit, said'l contacts adapt-V ed to be closediby contact with" the articleto be measured.

5; Ina device as characterized, `a` support, aV measuring elementi carried thereby, an

electriccircuit, circuit closing means carried bysaid element, saidV means adapted to* be actuated by contact with anl object to be measured to close the circuit, and an electric light in` said' circuit.V

6; In: a deviceas characterized, a? support, a measurmgelement carried thereby and ex` ed tobe flexed' by contact' with anj object to:

bef measured, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by the springs when flexed, and an indicating device in the circuit.

8. In a device as characterized, a support, a measuring element extensible therefrom, springs attached to said element and adapted to be flexed by contact with an object to be measured, an electric circuit, a contact in said circuit adapted to be closed when the springs are flexed, and an electric light in the circuit.

9. In a device as characterized, a support, ameasuring element extensible therefrom, a plurality of ysprings attached to said element and adapted to be flexed serz'azfz'm by contact with the object to be measured as the element is advanced, a plurality of electric circuits, a contact in each of said circuits adapted to be closed by the springs when flexed, and an electric light in each circuit.

10. In a device as characterized, a support, a measuring element extensible therefrom, a plurality of springs attached to said element, and adapted to be flexed serz'azz'm by contact With the object to be measured as the element is advanced, a plurality of electric circuits, a contact in each of said circuits adapted to be closed b the springs when flexed, and an indicating device in each circuit.

ll. In a device as characterized, a base, a

hollow column erected thereon, al post slid-V ably and rotatably mounted therein, a sleeve disposed on the upper end of the post at right angles thereto, a spindle rotatably positioned in said sleeve, a sleeve on the end of said spindle at right angles thereto, a bar slidably mounted in the last mentioned sleeve, means for actuating said bar, a resilient element associated With said bar and adapted to yield on contact avith an object when the bar is advanced, an electric circuit,

a contact in said circuit adapted to be closed by said element and a light in the circuit.

12. In a device as characterized, a base, a hollow column erected thereon, a post slidably and rotatably mounted therein, a sleeve disposed on theupper end of the post at right angles thereto, a spindle rotatably positioned in said sleeve, a sleeve on the end of said spindle at right angles thereto, said sleeve having a major and a minor bore, a screw threaded 'bar slidably positioned in said minor bore, said bar having a keyway extending longitudinally thereof, a nut threaded on the bar and rotatably retained Within the major bore, springs associated with the bar and adapted to be flexed on contact with an object when the bar is advanced, electric circuits, contacts in said circuits adapted to be closed by the flexure of said springs and lights in the circuits.

13. In a device as characterized, a support,

thereby, Van electric circuit, circuit closing means in said circuit adapted to be actuated by contact of the measuring element `With an object to be measured.

15. In a device as characterized, a support, an extensible measuring element carried thereby,A an electric circuit, circuit closing means in said circuit adapted to be actuated by contact of the measuring element With an object to be measured, and an indicating means inth'e'circuit.

16. In a device as characterized, a support, a measuring element carried thereby, electric contacts' arranged in tandem on said element,'an'electric circuit, said contacts adapted to be closed by contact iviththe article to be measured, and an indicatingdevice in said circuit.

` 17. In a device as characterized,a support, an extensible measuring element carried thereby, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by contact of the measuring element with an object to be measured and an indieating device in said circuit.

1S. In a'device as characterized, a support, a measuring element carried thereby, an electric circuit, an indicating device in said circuit, and means controlling said circuit adapted to be actuated by Contact of the measuring element With an object to be measured. y

19. In a device as characterized, a support, a measuring element carried thereby, am electric circuit, an indicating device in said circuit, and circuit controlling means carried by said element and adapted to 'be actuated by contact with an object to be measured.

EDWARD sPELnMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

